Hired a Gigolo Got a Billionaire (Zoey and Christian) novel Chapter 246

Chapter 246

Saturday felt like a welcome reset after everything that had blown up at the party. I still woke with the tail end of a hangover, but I was determined to enjoy my last days with Zoey and Christian before they flew back to Verdania. It felt strange knowing they’d soon be an ocean away again. Back to video calls and Whatsapp messages.

Matthew showed up around ten carrying coffee and fresh croissants from a Franconian bakery.

“Bennett family program,” he announced when I opened the door. “Zoey already approved. Today we’re tourists in your city.”

We spent the whole day visiting the London landmarks I’d somehow never seen properly since moving. We started at Regent’s Park, where Zoey took dozens of photos of Matt in his stroller, laughing every time he made some new dramatic baby expression.

“He looks exactly like Dad,” I said, watching Matt scrunch his eyebrows the same way our father did when concentrating. “But he definitely has some of our stubbornness.”

“God forbid,” Zoey laughed. “One stubborn Bennett personality is enough.”

“One?” Matthew lifted a brow. “Try at least three of us.”

We wandered to a cozy café in Notting Hill and squeezed around a tiny table. We talked for over an hour about nothing and everything. Matthew told wild stories from his latest projects in Ascia. Zoey talked about balancing work and motherhood. And for the first time in weeks, I felt myself relax.

“You know what I’ll miss the most?” Zoey said as she stirred her coffee with a spoon way too small to be useful. “These silly moments. Being able to call you and say ‘coffee?’ without checking time zones.”

“Me too,” I admitted as a tightness pulled at my chest. “It’s going to feel weird doing everything alone again.”

“You’re not alone,” Matthew said, tugging a strand of my hair the same annoying way he used to when we were kids. “Even when I’m back in Ascia, someone in the family will always be rooting for you.”

“And when you come to London for work, you can visit me,” I added.

“And supervise if you’re behaving,” he said with a wicked grin.

Our final stop was Columbia Road Flower Market, where Zoey insisted on buying me an enormous bouquet of pink peonies.

“For your apartment,” she explained. “Something to remind you someone’s cheering for you from far away.”

Sunday arrived with that familiar goodbye-heavy melancholy, but we turned it into a celebration. Christian and Zoey hosted us in their gorgeous apartment with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the London skyline. The view made it feel like we were floating above the city.

Zoey made a brunch that blended London polish with Verdanian comfort. Elegant tableware but cheesy chicken pies and cheese buns she’d ordered from a Verdanian bakery.

“Because a farewell without comfort food isn’t a real farewell,” she said.

Christian was in his element, telling business-travel stories that sounded more like sitcom episodes than corporate meetings. Nate added sarcastic comments at the perfect moments. Gwen, Matthew, and Marcus took turns trying to make Matt laugh, turning it into a full-blown competition for who could get the loudest giggle.

“You’re sure you don’t want to fly back with us to Verdania? I guarantee I’ll appreciate this competition once he starts crying on the plane,” Zoey teased, though she was smiling at the chaos.

After brunch, while Christian showed Matthew and Marcus something on the balcony and Gwen tried to teach Matt how to clap, Zoey tugged me toward a quieter corner of the apartment.

Zoey settled onto the massive couch facing the skyline, pulling her knees up just slightly as she turned toward

“So,” she said, her tone gentle but curious, “how are you feeling about everything? The party. Henry. Nate… last night was a roller coaster.”

I took a deep breath. There was no point trying to hide anything from her.

“Actually,” I said, already feeling heat rise in my cheeks, “I need to confess something… kind of embarrassing.”

“Oh no,” Zoey laughed. “What did you do?”

Zoey followed my line of sight.

“They’re talking about you,” she said quietly.

“How do you know?”

“Because I know my husband.” She smirked. “And judging by Nate’s stance that ‘taking in a lecture’ posture-

I’d bet Christian’s giving him the classic ‘don’t screw up my sister-in-law’ speech.’

A strange mix of nerves and curiosity fluttered through me.

“You think that’s good or bad?”

“With Christian?” Zoey shrugged lightly. “He’s probably telling Nate to stop hesitating and actually do something.”

I watched a bit longer. Christian gave Nate a pat on the shoulder before they both turned back toward the living area.

“Well,” I sighed, “whatever they were talking about… everything will go back to normal soon.”

“Normal?” Zoey snorted. “Annie, when was the last time your life was normal?”

I thought about that as we walked back into the living room, where Matt was being passed around like the cutest trophy imaginable. Soon Zoey and Christian would be on their flight back to Verdania. Christian would return to his CEO whirlwind. Zoey to her life as a mom and wife in Highridge Valley. And I’d stay here in London- balancing the complications at Kensington, my unresolved feelings for Nate, and now this unexpected reconnection with Wanderer.

Normal probably wasn’t the word. Not even close.